Thursday, December 18, 2008

Snow day

Well, it was another snow day here. School was canceled, and they called it off for tomorrow, too. My husband has been working from home all week~ he says he's going stir crazy and is going to try to go in for a half day tomorrow. For some reason, I don't have cabin fever...yet! :) But tomorrow my sweetie and I get to go to dinner and a play, a tradition we enjoy every Christmas. The kids stay with their Nana and Papa and make Christmas gifts for us, so it really is a win-win situation, you see! (haha!)

And a major shift in conversation here, no, monologue... A few weeks ago I was really excited about the Starbucks' peppermint mocha twist, which is SO good by the way. Well, I must admit to having a real weakness for peppermint anything really. So when I found out on another blog that Bath and Body Works had peppermint lotion, I just had to have a look-see.

I not only found the lotion, but also found peppermint body cream, which was the one I bought. They also had body scrub and body wash, which were really tempting, but I didn't succumb! (Although a couple of friends on my list will be receiving these...) I love the way the peppermint cream smells! Yum! :)

Also, more peppermint...I found this great recipe last Christmas for peppermint bark, and not only is it very easy to make, it is delicious! (This picture doesn't do it justice, because I used the wrong plate to put them on...)

I have already made it twice in a week and a half, because it goes so fast! :) I thought I would share this recipe, because it really is a keeper!

1. Line an 11-by-17 inch baking sheet with parchment paper, and set aside.2. Put chocolate into a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water; stir constantly until chocolate has melted.3. With a chef's knife or kitchen mallet, cut or pound candy into 1/4 inch pieces.4. Stir candy and peppermint oil into the melted chocolate. Remove from heat, and pour mixture onto prepared baking sheet; spread evenly with an offset spatula. Refrigerate until firm, 25-30 minutes. Bread into pieces before packaging (or serving). Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to one week.

Just a few comments on this recipe~

I went ahead and just bought Ghirardelli chocolate morsels because it was much less expensive at the market and it saved time. I am just mentioning this because I was horrified at the thought of spending fifteen dollars on sale to cut up chocolate and the peppermint bark was great just using the chips.

I also used peppermint extract because I didn't have peppermint oil. I am going to look for it the next time I shop though. But again, I just put two teaspoons of the extract and it was just fine. :)

Well, we all survived another week and tomorrow is Friday! Did anyone else get snow where you live? Around where my parents live, about a half hour away, they got 23 inches last night! I remember the last time we got that much was back when I was in highschool. We woke up on Christmas Day with two feet on the ground. How is that for idyllic? :) I hope you all have a great Friday!

12 comments:

I can't imagine having any snow, much less that much! I live in the deep South and it has been in the 70's this week. Doesn't make you feel very Christmasy, but it is supposed to get somewhat cooler next week. That peppermint bark looks delicious! I love white chocolate! Thanks for leaving me such a sweet message. You are too kind!

Hi Jenni,We have snow here too but not quite as much as you just yet. But I know it's coming! Your peppermint bark looks really pretty. I have made chocolate bark many times with almonds never with candy canes. I think I might just try the canes this year. Have your self a wonderful day and Merry CHRISTmas!

I love in the pacific NW also. I don't feel a bit cabin crazy. I love it!

Try finding peppermint oil at Whole Foods. I keep it on hand for lots of reasons:~ Helps itching from bug bites, poison oak, etc. (dilute with any kitchen oil or almond oil)~ Helps with tummy ache, add to warm tea~ Helps with headache, add to cool washcloth and apply to forehead (not too much as fumes sting eyes)~ Smell is energizing. When you are dragging, take a whiff!~ In the hospital after giving birth they gave me a bottle of it to smell to help me go to the bathroom.....and more! You will be glad you have it, especially since you love it so much.

Wow Jenni, that is a lot of snow! Here in Oklahoma we have only had a few icings on the road and freezing mist, but no snow yet. It has been really cold though and supposed to get colder over the weekend.

I love the special seasonal drinks at Starbucks too, but unfortunately, the one right by my neighborhood is closing their doors today. It isn't even a year old yet, so it is a little sad. I'll have to drive a bit to get to one now.

I love, love, love body cream at Bath and Body! It is truly the BEST!!!

Hi Jenni -- oh wow snow down to where you live, even in Tasmania in the far south we don't see more than about 1 cm of snow! The peppermint bark looks fab, may have to try that out tomorrow... Well just wanted to stop by and say Merry Christmas, I will be back to blogging after Christmas..Malcolm has lashed out and bought me a new camera, not to be used until Christmas! (suppose I deserve that after losing the last one).. Take care and enjoy the time with your family at Christmas..stay safe. Beth Xwww.blossomcottage.typepad.com

A favorite quote...

"Could we with ink, the ocean fill, and were the skies of parchment made. Were every stalk on earth a quill, and every man a scribe by trade...To write the love of God above would drain the oceans dry. Nor could the scroll contain the whole, though stretched from sky to sky!" ~Originally by Frederick Lehman

He Said, She Said...

Once upon a time, a young couple went to look at a house for sale. "It's been unloved, that's obvious, but we can fix that," she said, planning to fix everything right away. "I can't see anything here that can't be fixed," He agreed, thinking of all the money they would save by fixing things themselves, and planning to take one project at a time. And so the couple bought their first house, each greatly underestimating the work that lay ahead... For the girl, from a long lineage of die-hard Fix-Its, and the boy, a descendant of the Most Frugals had met their match...for turning this house into a home would be no easy feat.